Expo Line grand opening

This train runs from the 7th Street Metro Station Downtown out west to La Cienega & Jefferson, running right through USC’s station at Exposition Park; where one of four grand opening celebrations was held on Saturday.

“We are trying to get to all of our community.” Jacqueline Martinez is a community relations officer for the Metro. And joined by her many co-workers; they handed out information pamphlets to garner interest in the new train line. “We just want the community to come out and support the system, get out and ride the system. A lot of people have never been on a train before, so this is our way of saying come have fun, use the system, and it is a great thing to do,” she said.

Gerri Williams is from Pasadena and plans on taking the Expo line often. She also decided to take part in the festivities of opening weekend. “I am enjoying it very good. The music is good and it is nice to be outside and seeing all the venders that are here, and being out in the sun!”

And Martinez is convinced that this is a smart and necessary move by the city of Los Angeles.

“I think it is a great step forward for LA. It is connecting us to the Westside, one day Santa Monica. People can get to the museums, to USC. Students, they can get here to campus and explore museums. It is just going to get us closer to things that a lot of Angelenos don’t even know exist.”

This weekend is the time to try out the train. Passengers can ride for free over the weekend.